The first fossil species and genus of Palparinae (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) from the early Eocene Green River Formation

Abstract Protopalpares lindgrenae new genus new species (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) is described from the Fossil Butte Member of the early Eocene Green River Formation (Wyoming, USA). This is the first Neuroptera species from the Fossil Butte Member, and the first fossil Palparinae. It is assigned to this subfamily based on the synapomorphy proposed here that the forewing posterior branch of RP1 and the stem of MP+CuA1 curve toward each other and are connected by two aligned crossveins at their closest. The venation of Protopalpares is most similar within the family to that of the Early Cretaceous Palaeonleontidae, indicating that Palparinae and Palaeonleontidae are likely closely related. UUID: http://zoobank.org/fc4c124c-eb4b-432e-833c-cde7e595f653